'I should at least be a bit nervous!' Sarah told herself upon entering the Great Hall at Hogwarts. It was her first day at the new school since her expulsion from Durmstrang. She didn't feel that apprehensive after all – with her looks, brains and charms, why should she? Following the Headmaster's long – and slightly boring- speech concerning behaviour, rules and of course, being friendly with her; she was about to be sorted. The hat had barely been placed over her head that it shouted: 'SLYTHERIN!'
'Such a surprise!' she thought, heading to the Slytherin table -but not without casting a look at Harry Potter, and his fellow Gryffindors who eyed her with disgust.

She sat down next to a handsome boy with white-blond hair and grey eyes. She immediately realised who he was: Draco Malfoy, son of Lucius Malfoy, a former friend of her parents, whom had been killed by Death Eaters for betraying the Dark Lord. She wondered whether Draco recognised her as well.

'Hello Malfoy!' She paused. 'So… What've you been up to in the last …seven years?' He stared at her for a moment.

'Costa…it's you! You broke my first broomstick! I never ever got over it!' She made a face.

'Aww,' she said sarcastically, 'how awful it must have been…. C'mon Malfoy, that was seven years ago, haven't you ever thought about shaping up?'

'I have!'

'Yeah sorry, I can see that!'
'And it looks quite nice!' she thought.
'Malfoy, would you mind showing me a bit of the school later?'

'Maybe,' he said, 'you know, I am quite busy, being captain of the Quidditch team and stuff.'

'You 're captain?' she asked curious.

'Yep. What'd you expect from the most popular Slytherin?' he replied conceitedly.

'Oh that last bit I can change easily…' she thought to herself and stood up.

'C'mon, Parkinson, at least you're friendly with me, aren't you? Can you show me? Nice haircut by the way.' Pansy blushed visibly.

'Thanks. Course I can,' she answered and got up to show Sarah the school and lead her to the Common room.

Sarah sat shivering in the cold Common room that evening, when Malfoy came in.

'Cold are you?' She turned around and looked directly into his grey eyes, which gave her an odd feeling.

'You could say that.'

'What do you expect, we're six feet underground and all you wear is a skirt and a tank top… You must have gone mad since the last time I saw you. But that's not the point.' He sat down. 'Your parents… I'm sorry!'

'Oh you oughtn't be.'

'How come… they were killed and you survived?'
'He looks very grave for his age.'

'I…' She hesitated. 'I don't know. The Death Eaters just disappeared after having killed them.' She blushed slightly.

'Oh. So they might still be out there? Hunting you maybe?' He grinned.

'No I don't think so. They might still be out there, I give you that point. But they certainly aren't hunting me.' She bit her lip.

'You've changed,' he started. 'You always were a little conceited… and now, you look like a real woman.'

'What are you getting at, Malfoy?' And then she remembered who she was talking to.
'Forget it! I always thought Malfoys were decent gentlemen. But you are nothing more than a ruddy idiot.'

'I wouldn't recommend insulting the Prince of Slytherin!' he said coldly.

'Unless you are on your way to become Princess of Slytherin!' she said, looking suddenly annoyed.

'You wish!' he replied yawning.

'Now let's clink glasses on my upcoming 'reign'. Butterbeer? Fire Whisky?'

'What gave you the idea that I would clink glasses with YOU. I'm going up to bed - bye.' He got up. 'And get some proper clothes; we're at school, not in a cheap brothel!' he added, casting a meaningful look at her and her clothes (or lack of) again.

'I have to wear a uniform tomorrow anyway, but thanks. Good Night!' she replied and headed to the girls dormitories.

It was breeding hot in the 'Defence against Dark Arts' classroom and their new teacher, Professor Dormiens, had a talent for making the most interesting study topics seem utterly dull. Sarah decided to make this lesson a bit more exciting and mumbled a spell that made the professor grow Cornish Pixie Ears. The class giggled and everybody looked around puzzled trying to find the guilty party. Sarah suddenly seemed very interested in her textbook. Draco glanced at her. 'What the hell was that about? Does she want to be expelled?' As she looked up she pretended to be very surprised.

'Mr Dormiens! That's awful! Who did that to you?' And with a wave of her wand the ears vanished.

'Pansy! Aren't you ashamed of your behaviour? You act like nothing happened!' Pansy looked confused.

'But…I…there…I mean…' she stuttered.

'Enough!' yelled the professor. 'Pansy, you will of course receive detention! I'll see you after class!' The lesson continued and Sarah soon fell asleep. As it finished Draco had to wake her up.

'C'mon, we have to go to potions. Snape won't be happy if we're late. Move your arse!' She stood up and shook her butt in front of him.

'Like that?' she asked smirking.

'You know exactly what I mean!' And he grabbed her arm and pulled her down to the dungeons.

Draco was Snape's favourite student, so none of them got detention – but Sarah was about to steal that position, because not only did she know all the facts about the potions, but she also brewed them very well. Her only problem was, that she was very clumsy and always dropped the ingredients. No one knew why. She was very quiet. But that didn't make her enemies; instead most Slytherins admired her seriousness. The only person she ever talked to was Draco. Talking wouldn't be the exact term… Insulting, more like.

Teasing each other was soon their favourite game and Scarhead began to worry about Malfoy, because he hadn't thrown any insults at him for nearly two weeks now. (Saint Potter worrying about his enemies, how cute is that?) Of course, Weasley, that spotted git, wouldn't let any chance pass to upset him and took advantage of Malfoy having other things in mind than teasing the Terrible Three. Sarah got rid of the Weasel with a simple 'PETRIFICUS TOTALUS!' that bound him to hospital for at least a week.

'Draco, don't you think it's time for us to put our argument aside and get along peacefully? Or even friendly?' Sarah asked after half the term had already passed and both of them were still picking at each other at every opportunity. Draco chuckled.

'Course…and next you'll ask me out on a date? C'mon, you Weasley-like freckled girls aren't exactly my type.' She rolled her light-blue eyes.

'Oh Draco you've seen straight through me! I absolutely love you and you cause me sleepless nights!' she answered sarcastically.

'Do I? Yeah, you might think so…you just can't deny I'm good-looking, clever, witty, charming…' he said with that smug look on his face he always had when he talked about himself. She rolled her eyes.
'Careful!' he shouted and she quivered.

'What the…?'

'They might fall out if you continue doing this!' he said grinning. She sighed.

'Malfoy! Unbelievable git!'

'Now that hurt me…' He laughed. She opened her mouth to say something but instead she suddenly stormed out of the room as quickly as she could.

But the raven, sitting lonely on the placid bust, spoke only

That one word, as if his soul in that one word he did outpour,

Nothing farther than he utterednot a feather then he fluttered

Till I scarcely more than muttered, "Other friends have flown before-

On the morrow he will leave me, as my hopes have flown before."

Quoth the raven, "Nevermore."

Edgar Allen Poe – The Raven